Oman’s 20 PPP and Offset Projects in 2026: What They Mean for Business Growth and Investment Opportunities
MUSCAT, Jan 2 – The Omani government is set to advance and implement over 20 projects and initiatives in 2026 under its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Partnership for Development (Offset) programs.
Details of these initiatives, which span across various sectors such as education, health, government services, information and communication technology (ICT), veterinary services, cybersecurity, earth observation, and the military, were revealed by the Ministry of Finance. This announcement was part of the highlights related to the 2026 State General Budget presented on Thursday.
The PPP program, managed by the Ministry of Finance, serves as a framework to enhance private sector involvement in infrastructure investments and public services. Its primary objective is to bolster the efficiency of economic resource utilization and improve public facility management.
Among the notable PPP projects slated for 2026 is the Public School Buses Management, Operation and Improvement Project. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Education, focuses on acquiring approximately 5,000 modern buses featuring advanced safety and monitoring systems, expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. A private operator will oversee the fleet operations, maintenance, and enhancements in service quality.
In the health sector, four major projects have been earmarked for execution. These include the Suhar Rehabilitation Centre Project, a specialized facility dedicated to offering physical, mental health, and post-acute care services. A joint venture, Al Salwa Care and Health Services LLC, which consists of Omani investor Neem Projects and Malaysian operator Solace Asia, was awarded the responsibility to develop this facility on a PPP basis last March.
Another significant initiative is the establishment of a Nuclear Medicine Manufacturing Facility, aimed at supporting local production of radio-pharmaceuticals for diagnostics and cancer treatment. Additionally, a PPP project will enhance the management, operation, and development of diagnostic services, including imaging, laboratory testing, and pathology, within public healthcare facilities. Moreover, a Medical Supply Chain Project will work towards unifying the procurement, warehousing, distribution, and inventory management of pharmaceuticals into an efficient system.
In the ICT domain, the Ministry aims to promote the Oman Business Platform Project, designed to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem for business registration, licensing, approvals, and regulatory compliance. A private partner will be responsible for the design, development, and operation of this platform, which will streamline investor interactions with government entities and bolster Oman’s digital economy.
Another vital initiative in this sector is the National Unified Health Information System (Al Shifa), intended to upgrade and manage Oman’s national electronic health record system by coordinating patient data across public healthcare institutions.
The Ministry is also undertaking a project to design, construct, finance, and maintain a new headquarters for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP). This endeavor aims to create a centralized workspace that embodies Oman’s investment-friendly environment while transferring construction and lifecycle risks to the private sector.
Parallel to these efforts, the Ministry’s Offset program focuses on fostering technology transfer and enhancing workforce capabilities through partnerships with global companies. This initiative aims to facilitate knowledge transfer and introduce international best practices.
Under the Offset program, six framework agreements and eight supplementary agreements have already been secured with renowned global firms, alongside additional project agreements. These projects include establishing an advanced cyber excellence center at the Military Technological College, creating specialized workshops for helicopter rotor blade repair and military equipment maintenance, and conducting extensive training programs for 5,000 individuals in IT and Fourth Industrial Revolution skills. Other initiatives encompass providing specialized equipment for the Royal Oman Police and developing a cybersecurity device testing laboratory.
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The Omani government’s commitment to advancing over 20 diverse PPP projects signals significant opportunities for private sector investment across various sectors, including education, health, and ICT. Smart investors should focus on emerging sectors—particularly digital transformation and healthcare innovations—to capitalize on increased government support and enhanced efficiency. However, they should be mindful of potential implementation risks tied to project timelines and regulatory changes.
